Review: Adnan's Story: The Truth for Truth and Justice After Serial by Rabia Chaudry

Goodreads Summary
In early 2000, Adnan Syed was convicted and sentenced to life plus thirty years for the murder of his ex-girlfriend Hae Min Lee, a high school senior in Baltimore, Maryland. Syed has maintained his innocence, and Rabia Chaudry, a family friend, has always believed him. By 2013, after almost all appeals had been exhausted, Rabia contacted Sarah Koenig, a producer at This American Life, in hopes of finding a journalist who could shed light on Adnan’s story. In 2014, Koenig's investigation turned into Serial, a Peabody Award-winning podcast with more than 500 million international listeners

But Serial did not tell the whole story. In this compelling narrative, Rabia Chaudry presents new key evidence that she maintains dismantles the State's case: a potential new suspect, forensics indicating Hae was killed and kept somewhere for almost half a day, and documentation withheld by the State that destroys the cell phone evidence -- among many other points -- and she shows how fans of Serial joined a crowd-sourced investigation into a case riddled with errors and strange twists. Adnan's Story also shares Adnan’s life in prison, and weaves in his personal reflections, including never-before-seen letters. Chaudry, who is committed to exonerating Adnan, makes it clear that justice is yet to be achieved in this much examined case.

My Thoughts
I knew I needed to read this book as soon as I finished listening to the podcast, Serial. I am a Forensic Science student and we spent a lot of time discussing people who are actually innocent of the crimes they were convicted of. Adnan's story is so similar to many of them but at the same time very different, especially considering that the ones I learn about generally contain DNA evidence. After listening to Serial, I needed to hear more evidence so that Adnan is actually innocent. This book did help give some clarity to the case and gave a much more personal recount of what happened.

I did have to put this book down the first time I tried to read it. However, I think that was because I was in the middle of school work and this story felt too much like school work at the time. I finished it on vacation, and did really enjoy it. There were some dry parts and at times I felt all 400 pages of it. However, if you loved Serial and want to know more I highly advise you check this book out. If you know nothing about this case, go listen to Serial.

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About Me

HI! I'm Sam and I absolutely love to read. In real life I am studying Forensic Sciences and trying to squeeze in time to read. It doesn't matter how the story is told, I just love to be apart of a story. I am currently reading novels and comics. Stick around and you'll find out more.